She praised the industry for its “continued strength and resilience” despite the economic climate, but said: “While it is fantastic to see more performances around the country, it is notable that revenue and attendances haven’t also risen. It is too soon to say whether these figures are an anomaly, or whether they may signal a growing disparity between what theatre audiences are able to pay and the amount theatres now charge.

“If a trend does appear over the next few years, the industry will need to explore ways of working ever more creatively to retain and grow audiences in a landscape of reduced funding and tough operating costs.”

When combined with the Society of London Theatre’s 2017 figures – for West End venues – box office income in theatres across the country totalled £1.17 billion last year. This is higher than the previous year’s total of £1.12 billion, thanks to increased revenue in the West End.

The figures also come as many areas grapple with continued cuts to local authority arts budgets, and amid mounting concern over the impact this will have on theatre.

Local authority funding for Arts Council England’s national portfolio plummeted by £14 million in 2016/17. Research conducted by the Labour Party in 2016 claimed that £165 million had been lost to the arts and heritage since 2010.